worn
10 synonyms and 1 antonym for worn, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Damaged, thin, or shabby from long use.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use worn
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
worn out
well-worn
worn thin
Etymology
The past participle of "wear," shaped by analogy with similar verbs like "tear" (torn) and "swear" (sworn).
Full origin of worn →Frequently asked questions
What does “worn” mean?
The word “worn” means damaged, thin, or shabby from long use. In plain terms, showing the effects of long use or exhaustion.
How do you pronounce “worn”?
“Worn” is pronounced wawn (/wɔɹn/ in IPA).
How do you use “worn” in a sentence?
Here is “worn” used in a sentence: “The stairs had worn grooves from decades of foot traffic.”
What part of speech is “worn”?
“Worn” is an adjective.
Is “worn” a common word?
“Worn” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “worn” have?
“Worn” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: damaged, thin, or shabby from long use.
What is the difference between "worn" and "worn out"?
Worn describes something damaged, thin or shabby from long use, or a person who is tired. Worn out is more emphatic, meaning completely used up and no longer serviceable, or utterly exhausted.
When should you use "worn" to describe a person?
Besides describing objects, worn can mean exhausted or drained, whether physically or emotionally, as in "she looked worn after the long shift." Used this way it suggests visible signs of strain or tiredness.
Is "worn" the same as the past participle of "wear"?
Worn is the past participle of the verb "wear," used in forms like "has worn" or "was worn." The adjective senses of shabby or exhausted developed from this, describing the result of long wearing or hard use.
What is the difference between "worn" and "weary"?
Both can describe tiredness, but weary points to the feeling of being tired or fatigued, while worn suggests being drained by prolonged strain and can also describe worn-down objects. Worn often implies visible wear, whereas weary focuses on the inner feeling.
